Applying to medical school while abroad can be a wonderful but challenging experience. It's entirely possible to do the whole process remotely, but it will take careful planning to be completed correctly. There are many important factors, but two of the most important will be successfully filling out your AMCAS application and navigating interviews. Outlined below are some key features to consider for each. 

Filling out AMCAS

Since AMCAS and secondary applications are all online, it is possible to fill them out anywhere in the world where you have a computer and at least occasional access to the internet.

First and foremost, establish a clear editing plan.

While you're abroad, make sure to remain in touch with people who will be helping you polish your application. This will keep the work flowing if you lose contact and keep you on target to submit your applications. With this in mind, plan to complete everything at least two weeks early. You never know what can happen and it is safer to submit ahead of time.

If you are going to be living in an area with intermittent power and access to the internet, you should plan ahead with some workaround contingencies in mind.

Plan on working offline

Download or create an outline of your primary and secondary applications so you can fill them out and edit them offline. Also, always carry a back-up drive or data bank since you may not be able to back-up your files to the cloud.

Make sure you will always have a charge

Depending upon how remote you are, and the electricity sources, you may want to consider getting a power bank.

Find an internet source

If you are in a very remote area but have phone service, I recommend getting a USB SIM card so you can load data onto the SIM card from a local cell carrier. Then, as long as you have cell services, you’ll have data. Other workarounds could include scheduling regular travel to where there will be Wi-Fi for when you are ready to upload. However, having the independence of a USB SIM card makes it a useful and attractive option.

Interviews

Arguably the most difficult aspect about applying from abroad will be scheduling your interviews. Often you will not have much control over when your interviews occur, but there are a few things you can do to be better prepared. If you have absolutely no flexibility about travel or if travel expenses exceed your current funds, you may want to consider applying after another cycle.

First, you should determine each school’s interview policy and timing. Start by building an excel spread sheet (or adding to a sheet you already have) and add in information on when interviews are offered, what type of interview, and the schools’ flexibility. Begin completing this sheet by going online and reading each school’s page, or its site page on MSAR. Then if needed, email the admissions counselor and ask about the school’s interview policy, flexibility, and if they offer Skype interviews (this is rare). This will help you plan and think ahead about how to discuss scheduling an interview if offered one.

Second, if possible, you should schedule to be in the U.S. or the schools’ locations at two different periods: One in the fall, and one in the winter, for a 1-2 week period, and possibly longer depending upon the number of your applications.  This flexibility will give you periods to slot interviews as you are offered them, and scheduling to be present at two different times will reap several benefits:

1) Provide better communication for the people you are working with abroad

2) Lower the cost of having to buy or change plane tickets

3) Give you the ability to accept an interview, without any doubts, if offered during this period. Despite these efforts, you may not be able to accept or attend every interview. 

You should also investigate if schools offer remote interviews.